We maintain the best listing we can of natural history-related events on Martha’s Vineyard. While we periodically check organizational websites and newspaper calendar sections for events to include here, we’d welcome your help making this part of our website as complete and helpful as possible. Are you or your organization involved in an event that might be of interest to friends of the Martha’s Vineyard Atlas of Life? Please email MVAL program director Matt Pelikan at with details or a web link.
Thanks for your help!
Upcoming Events
Inter-Island Bioblitz, Martha’s Vineyard vs. Nantucket
5:00 p.m. Friday, July 24, 2026 – 5:00 p.m. Friday, August 7, 2026.
With bioblitzes — short-term, community-driven surveys of biodiversity — growing in popularity, the time is right for these two rival islands to face off in a contest to see who can produce the most iNaturalist observations and document the most species in a two-week contest at the peak of the season. All you need to participate is a free iNaturalist account; all observations uploaded from either island during the time frame of the event will automatically be included in the appropriate island’s score. Use the buttons below to register for the event (optional, but registering will let us email you details, updates, and results) or join the Vineyard’s bioblitz project for the event (project membership makes it easy to check results and will help us communicate with you about the event). We hope you’ll participate in this friendly competition — help us defend the honor of Martha’s Vineyard!
See below for special events associated with the Inter-Island BioBlitz.
Using iNaturalist in the Field
Friday, July 31, 2026, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Join us for this informal outing at the Correllus State Forest headquarters area, off of Barnes Road in Oak Bluffs. Community naturalist Matt Pelikan will introduce the art and science of finding and photographing plants and animals to create observations in the iNaturalist community science platform. We recommend sturdy shoes, long pants, a hat, and insect repellent and/or permethrin-treated clothing; bring your camera or smart phone, and binoculars if you have them.
While having an iNaturalist account is not required for this event, we urge you to set up your free account before attending so that you can contribute to the Inter-Island BioBlitz.
Introduction to iNaturalist
Saturday, August 1, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Held at the BiodiversityWorks office, 18 Helen Ave., Vineyard Haven, and led by community naturalist Matt Pelikan, this informal workshop will get you started using iNaturalist or help you build on your existing skills. The workshop will be customized to the needs of attendees and will involve both using the iNaturalist website to explore data and practical instruction on creating iNaturalist observations. Bring your camera or phone and dress for the outdoors.
While having an iNaturalist account is not required for this event, we urge you to set up your free account before attending so that you can contribute to the Inter-Island BioBlitz.
RESCHEDULED from Thursday, July 30
Blacklighting for Moths
Sunday, August 2, 2026, 8:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Join community naturalist Matt Pelikan and other BiodiversityWorks staff for a fascinating look at Vineyard night life…the insect version. Illuminating sheets with blacklight lamps is a powerful tool for studying nocturnal insects, which are attracted to the light. We’ll be set up in the back parking lot of the BiodiversityWorks office at 18 Helen Ave., Vineyard Haven, and the lights will go on as it starts to get dark. Drop by any time to see what turns up and help us document what we find in iNaturalist. Bring a flashlight or head lamp, insect repellent, and your camera or smart phone.
While having an iNaturalist account is not required for this event, we urge you to set up your free account before attending so that you can contribute to the Inter-Island BioBlitz.
Using iNaturalist in the Field
Tuesday, August 4, 2026, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Join us for this informal outing at the Correllus State Forest Gate 22, Old County Road, West Tisbury. (Across from the West Tisbury school, where additional parking is available if needed.) Community naturalist Matt Pelikan will introduce the art and science of finding and photographing plants and animals to create observations in the iNaturalist community science platform. We recommend sturdy shoes, long pants, a hat, and insect repellent and/or permethrin-treated clothing; bring your camera or smart phone, and binoculars if you have them.